Cutter chain



July 28, 1936.

Patented July 28, 1936 PATENT OFFICE cu'r'rua Joseph F. Joy, Marion, Ohio, assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company,

tion of Massachusetts Chicago, 111., a. corpora- Appllcation August 2, 1933, Serial No. 683,328

18 Claims.

This invention relates to coal cutters and, in particular, to coal cutting chains composed of a series of links pivotally connected to one another.

An object of this invention is to provide an articulated kerf-cutting chain having a plurality of kerf-cutting teeth, such teeth being in overlapping abutment with one another so that the thrust on one can be transmitted throughout the entiretyof all as a composite chain.

A further object is to provide these teeth not only in abutting engagement, but overlapping the angularity of the overlap, and the degree thereof determining the thickness of the ke'rt. made by the teeth. a

It is a further object to provide kerf-cutting teeth extending forwardly beyond the point of abutment and overlap.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coal cutting chain having cutting or teeth por- 20 tions integral with their link portions.

Another object is to provide such a chain wherein each link is pivotally connected at its forward and rear ends to its neighboring links.

Another object is to provide such a chain where- 25 in the tip of each link is formed of wear-resisting metal united integrally to the link. 7

Another object is to provide such a chain wherein the tips of successive links are inclined in opposite directions.

Anotherobject is to provide such a chain wherein the tips of successive links are laterally angled so that they lean over the center line of the chain to the side opposite from the link portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide 5 a chain wherein the outward inclinations of different links are of difierent amounts.

Another object is to provide such a chain wherein an arrangement of differently inclined links is repeated to form an endless chain.

These and other objects of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of my coal cutting chain.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the coal cutting chain shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the coal cutting chain of Figure 1, after a pivot pin has been removed and the chain has been stretched out in a straight line.

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4-4 01' Fig- 55 we 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, Figure 1 shows a coal cutting chain which is composed of a series of links having base portions 2 and tip portions 3. The link portions 2 are provided with bores 4 and 5 at their forward and rearward 5 ends respectively. Through the bores 4 and 5 pass pivot pins 6 and I by which the link portion of one link is joined to the link portion of another link. It will be observed that the attachment of the base portions 2 to one another in this man- 10 ner gives rise to regularly spaced interstices 8 and 9 in front of and behind the base portion 2 respectively. These interstices provides seating places for the teeth or the sprockets around which the coal cutting chain passes and by which it is 15 driven. The tip portions 3 and the base portions 2 oi the links are integral with one another, and the tips I proper are formed or wear-resisting metal which is united to the tip portion 3 by a heat treatment process. In'this way it becomes unnecessary either to provide detachable tips for permanent link portions or to form the links entirely out of the expensive wear-resisting alloys suitable for coal cutting.

It will be observed from Figure 2 and from the differently shaded nature of the tip portions 3 in Figure 1, that the integral links and tips oi. my invention may also be arranged in sequences of links having their tips at different angles of inclination. In Figure 2, it will be observed that the tooth portions Ill and H are angled outward at a greater amount than the succeeding tooth portions l2 and I3, the latter being followed by four links having tooth portions l4 and I5 angled at the same amounts as the tooth portions l0 and ll: these in turn are followed by tooth portions I 6 and I! which again have the same inclination as the tooth portions l2 and I3 respectively. It is obvious that any desired arrangement of the difierently inclined tooth portions may be adopted without departing from the essential idea of my invention.

It will also be observed from Figures 2, 3 and 4 that the tooth portions 3 are not angled directly outward away from the link 2, but instead are angled inward across the center line l8--l9 oi the chain in such a manner that the tip I is laterally displaced from the center line 0! the chain after passing thereover. From Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed how these tip portions cross over the center line of the chain in such a manner.

The links are joined to one another by the pivot pins 5 and I, one of which is shown in Figure 3 s hidden, and in Figure 4 as in section. 55

, 26 01' which it is fitted. The end of the pivot pin 0 opposite to the enlarged head 20 is provided witha beveled portion 28 which fits into a correspondingly beveled recess 21 in the base portion 2 o! the second link. Consequently the pivot pin 8 serves as a rivet interconnecting the successive links of the chain.

In thus providing a tip integral with the remainder o! the link, but of a different material therefrom, I have enabled the links to be free from the dangers of dislodgment such as are present in links having tips which as held in palce by set screws or the like. On the other hand, providing the tip of hardened wear-resisting metal givesa' long working life to the chain which would not be the case it the entire link were constructed of a single comparatively soft metal. The expense of constructing the entire link of the wear-resisting alloy would be prohibitive from a commercial viewpoint.

In the application of my invention, I superpose a layer of wear-resisting alloy 1 on the tip portion 3, such coating or layer being provided for the leading edges and the outer edges of the cutting teeth tips 4. This harder metal is rough- 1y applied by weldingv it to the tip portion 3, after which the superfluous metal is ground away so as to form the tip into a shape suitable for cutting. When this is done, the line oi demarcation between the wear-resisting alloy tip I and the tip portion 3 is so fine as to be practically invisible. In operation, however, the entire link has as long a working life as if it were composed of the expensive wear-resisting metal throughout.

when the tips have become dulled through a long period of use, the tip may be renewed by removing the old tip at a welding heat and applying a new one in the same manner as before. In this way the remainder of the chain may be used for an indetermined length of time, only the tips I of wear-resisting alloy being renewed from time to time. In some cases it will be found that the cutting tip i may be re-sharpened by using a grinding wheel in case a suiilcient amount oi! the wear-resisting alloy is left on the tip.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention a chain having cutting members pivoted together while lying in diiferent planes and having portions overlapping and abutting so that the cutting parts of the respective links of the chain project beyond the plane of attachment of the respective links. By having the links abut, the thrust on one is transmitted to one or more of the remaining links so that, while the chain is articulated, it is nevertheless for all intents and purposes, in cutting, a. single piece of metal. By having the teeth overlap and diverge,

ness of thekeri out.

while there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice. it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modifled and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus Iully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A cutter chain comprising a single row of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a. single tooth portion, said tooth portion ,having a cutting tip of wear-resisting material intgerallyunited thereto. the tooth portions or adjacent links being angled laterally in opposite directions so that the tooth portion of one link crosses the path of the tooth portion or the next adiacent'link. I

2. A cutter chain comprising a series of pivot ally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, said tooth portion having a cutting tip oi wear-resisting material integrally united .thereto, the tooth portions of adjacent 25 links being angled laterally in opposite directions across the center line of said chain.

3. A cutter chain comprising a series of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having an integral homogeneous tooth portion, said 30 tooth portion having a cutting tip of wear-re- .sisting material integrally united thereto, the base portions of said links being joined in over lapping relationship to one another, and the tooth portions of adjacent links being angled laterally in opposite directions across the center line of said chain so that the tip or said tooth lies on the opposite side of said center line from said base portion.

4. A cutter chain comprising a single row of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a single tooth portion. said tooth portion having a cutting tip or wear-resisting material integrally united thereto, said tooth portions being angled laterally at difl'erent inclinations in 4-5 different links so that a tooth portion of one link crosses the path of a tooth portion oi! another 5. A cutter chain comprising a single row of pivotally connected strap links, each said link I having a single tooth portion. said tooth portion having a cutting tip of wear-resisting material integrally united thereto, said tooth portions being" angled laterally at diilerent inclinations in different links, said chain being composed of a series of link assemblies. each assembly having the same sequence of tooth inclinations, one tooth portion of one link being angled across the center line of the chain a distance further than another tooth portion.

6. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, said tooth portion having a cutting tip or wear-resisting material integrally united thereto, said tooth portions being angled laterally at diilerent inclinations in diflerent links, said chain being composed of a series of link assemblies, each assembly having the adjacent teeth thereoi angled in opposite directions across the center line of said chain.

7. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, said tooth portion having a cutting tip of wear-resisting material integrally united thereto, said tooth portions being angled 75 laterally at different inclinations in difierent links, said chain being composed of a series oi? link assemblies, each assembly having the adjacent teeth thereof angled in opposite directions across the center line oi said chain and composed of links having the same sequence of tooth inclinations.

8. A cutter chain comprising a series of pivotally connected links each having a base portion and but a single integral laterally-angled cutting tooth portion with a tip of wear-resisting ma terial integrally united to said tooth portion, each said cutting tooth portion being inclined forwardlyand angled laterally relative to the midpoint of said base portion, one tooth portion on one link being angled so that it crosses the path of another tooth portion on another link.

9. In a cutter chain, a plurality of cutter links arranged with tooth portions thereof overlapping one-another across the center line of said chain, and means for pivotally connecting said links, said links having base portions overlapping and abutting one another.

10. In a cutter chain, a plurality of pivotally connected links having laterally diverging cutting teeth overlapping one another across the center lineof said chain and having edge portions thereof so arranged as to abut, whereby the thrust on one tooth will be transmitted to the otherteeth through their respective edge portions.

11. In a cutter chain, a plurality of links comprising diverging teeth overlapping one another across the center line of said chain and having plates pivoted to one another, the edges of said teeth abutting one another to prevent the flexing of the chain in one direction while the pivots oi the links prevent tree flexing in the other direction.

12. A cutter chain comprising a series of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, the tooth portions or adjacent links being angled laterally in opposite directions across the center line .0! the chain.

13. A cutter chain comprising a series oi pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a homogeneous integral tooth portion, the baseportions of said links being joined in overlapping relationship to one another, and the tooth portions of adjacent links being angled laterally in opposite directions across the center line of the chain so that the tip of each tooth lies on the opposite side of the center line from its base portion.

i i. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, said tooth portions being angled laterally at difi'erent inclinations in different links, said chain being composed of a series of link assemblies, each assembly having the adjacent teeth thereof angled in opposite directions across the center line of the chain.

15. A cutter chain comprising a plurality of pivotally connected strap links, each said link having a tooth portion, said tooth portions being angled laterally at difierent inclinations in different links, said chain being composed of a series of link assemblies, each assembly having the adjacent teeth thereof angled in opposite directions across the center line of the chain and composed of links having the same sequence of tooth inclinations.

16. In a cutter chain, a plurality oi cutter links arranged with tooth portions thereof overlapping one another, one tooth portion crossing the path of another tooth portion, and means for pivotally connecting said links, said links having base portions overlapping and abutting one another.

1'7. In a cutter chain, a plurality of pivotally connected links having laterally diverging cutting teeth overlappingone another, one tooth crossing the path of the next adjacent tooth and said teeth having edge portions thereof so arranged as to abut whereby the thrust on one tooth will be transmitted to the other teeth.

18. In a cutter chain, a plurality of links comprising diverging teeth overlapping one another, one tooth crossiug the path of another and said teeth having plates pivoted to one another, the edges or said teeth abutting one another to pre- 'vent the flexing or the chain in one direction while the pivots of the links prevent free flexing JOSEPH F. J OYY 

